Installing MySQL

Installing MySQL (for complete beginners)

Before omp-MySQL can store anything, you need a MySQL server running somewhere. This page walks you through getting one — with a graphical installer if you've never touched a database before. Pick your operating system below.

Which version? Choose MySQL 8.4 LTS (the stable, long-term-support release) unless you have a reason not to. omp-MySQL needs 5.7 or newer. See MySQL versions.

Each step below is described click-by-click. The official pages linked under each OS show the same screens with pictures if you want to follow along visually.

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Windows — the graphical way (easiest)

1. Download the installer. Go to the official page: 👉 https://dev.mysql.com/downloads/installer/ Download "Windows (x86, 32-bit), MSI Installer" (the larger "full" one is fine). You can click "No thanks, just start my download" — no Oracle account needed.

2. Run mysql-installer-community-*.msi.

3. Choose a setup type. Pick "Server only" (you just need the database) or "Developer Default" if you also want the GUI tools (MySQL Workbench). Click Next → Execute to download/install.

4. Type & Networking. Leave Config Type: Development Computer, Port: 3306. Make sure "Open Windows Firewall port for network access" is checked if other machines will connect. Next.

5. Authentication Method. Choose "Use Strong Password Encryption" (this is caching_sha2_password — the modern default omp-MySQL expects). Next.

6. Accounts and Roles. Set a root password (write it down). You can also "Add User" here to create your gamemode user now — or do it later (see Getting started). Next.

7. Windows Service. Leave "Start the MySQL Server at System Startup" ticked so it runs automatically. Next → Execute → Finish.

✅ MySQL is now running on 127.0.0.1:3306. Full official walkthrough with screenshots: https://dev.mysql.com/doc/refman/8.4/en/windows-installation.html

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macOS — the graphical way

1. Download the DMG. 👉 https://dev.mysql.com/downloads/mysql/ Pick macOS and the DMG Archive (choose the ARM build for Apple Silicon / M-series, or x86 for Intel). "No thanks, just start my download."

2. Open the .dmg and run the .pkg installer. Click through Continue → Agree → Install.

3. Set the root password when the installer asks, and choose "Use Strong Password Encryption". Finish.

4. Start/stop it from System Settings → MySQL (a preference pane the installer adds), or it starts automatically.

✅ Running on 127.0.0.1:3306. Official guide: https://dev.mysql.com/doc/refman/8.4/en/macos-installation.html

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Linux — package manager (recommended)

Debian / Ubuntu:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install mysql-server        # or the official APT repo for a specific version
sudo systemctl enable --now mysql    # start on boot + now
sudo mysql_secure_installation       # set root password, remove test stuff

Fedora / RHEL:

sudo dnf install mysql-server
sudo systemctl enable --now mysqld
sudo mysql_secure_installation

Official APT repo (to choose 8.4 LTS exactly): https://dev.mysql.com/doc/refman/8.4/en/linux-installation-apt-repo.html

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Docker — fastest for testing (any OS)

If you just want a database to test against and don't want to install anything permanently:

docker run -d --name mysql \
  -e MYSQL_ROOT_PASSWORD=rootpw \
  -e MYSQL_DATABASE=mydb \
  -p 3306:3306 \
  mysql:8.4

That's a full MySQL 8.4 on 127.0.0.1:3306 in seconds. Stop it with docker stop mysql, start again with docker start mysql. Image docs: https://hub.docker.com/_/mysql

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A GUI to browse your database (optional but nice)

MySQL Workbench is a free graphical tool to view tables, run SQL, and manage users — great when you're learning.

1. Download: 👉 https://dev.mysql.com/downloads/workbench/
2. Install and open it.
3. Click the + next to "MySQL Connections", enter:
   • Hostname: 127.0.0.1 Port: 3306
   • Username: root (or your user)
4. Test Connection, enter the password, OK. Double-click the connection to open it — now you can see your accounts table fill up as players register.

Official Workbench docs: https://dev.mysql.com/doc/workbench/en/

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Verify it works

Open a terminal (or Workbench) and run:

mysql -u root -p -e "SELECT VERSION();"

If it prints a version like 8.4.x, you're ready.

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Next: connect omp-MySQL to it

Now create a database user and connect your server: 👉 Getting started (creates the user, sets up TLS, first query)

🔒 Don't use root for your gamemode — make a limited user. The repo ships tools/least-privilege-user.sql for exactly this. See Security.